Felton seals the deal with a pair of guards

Posted: Thursday, April 17, 2008

Peach is the preferred flavor of Georgia's 2007-08 recruiting season.

Dennis Felton picked up signatures from a pair of Atlanta-area guards Wednesday to complete the incoming freshman class. Four of the five signees from the fall and spring periods are from the Atlanta area.

"It's critically important to us to do our best work at home and that we get the guys we want to get from Georgia. It's especially important because you have such outstanding talent in Georgia. You can literally dominate the nation and win championships with just Georgia players."

Georgia signed 6-foot-3 guard Ebuka Anyaorah from North Gwinnett High and 6-4 Columbia High forward Travis Leslie on Wednesday, the first day of the spring signing period. Leslie and Anyaorah give Georgia five recruits for the 2008 freshman class.

The Bulldogs signed three players during the early recruiting period - touted forward Trey Thompkins from Wesleyan in Norcross, forward Drazen Zlovaric from Sagemont Upper School, Fla. and guard Dustin Ware from North Cobb Christian.

Anyaorah comes to Georgia with a reputation as a strong outside shooter. He averaged 26.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists a game at North Gwinnett.

"The thing I love about Ebuka, besides his unique talents, is he has a really good understanding with his team and plays together with his teammates," Felton said.

"He can shoot and score and is very athletic, at least as athletic as any guard we have."

Leslie is a slasher who probably will play on the perimeter more than he did in high school. He averaged 22.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 5.0 rebounds for Class AAAA champions.

"He literally just jumps out of the gym," Felton said. "He's probably the best leaper that's been here since Dominque Wilkins."

Leslie played at Columbia High with Jeremy Price, and Price was a major factor in recruiting Leslie, Felton said.

Georgia graduates two seniors in May, including guard Sundiata Gaines and forward Dave Bliss. After signing three players in November, the Bulldogs had two scholarships to offer during the spring period. Incoming senior guard Corey Butler will remain a walk-on for the time being.